Fastest way from Bologna to Venice: Train (Trenitalia / Italo), about 1h 19min (from €19). Cheapest: Bus, from €5 (about 1h 45min – 2h 20min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on October 27, 2026): GoOpti, FlixBus, NTV; main departure point: Bologna Centrale Bus Station.
There are 3 ways to get from Bologna to Venice
Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.
Companies selling this route on 12Go
Offers listed on 12Go on October 27, 2026 for a departure on November 17, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.
| Company | Mode | Departs from | From | Offers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTV | Train | Bologna Main | €19 | 12 |
| Itabus | Bus | Bologna Bus Terminal | €5 | 3 |
| FlixBus | Bus | Bologna Bus Station | €7 | 17 |
| GoOpti | Bus | Bologna Centrale Bus Station | €166 | 96 |
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Practical tips
High-speed fares usually rise as the departure date approaches. Reserve your Trenitalia or Italo ticket early, especially in high season, and compare both companies for your date instead of buying the first fare you see at the station.
Venezia Santa Lucia drops you right at the Grand Canal in the historic centre. Venezia Mestre is on the mainland, with a short onward connection. Check your hotel's location before booking so you don't get off at the wrong station.
Fast trains to Venice leave from Bologna Centrale. Arrive a little early, check the departure board for your platform, and keep your e-ticket handy on your phone so boarding stays simple, even when the station is busy.
The coach can be the cheaper choice, but fares vary a lot by date. Compare it with the train for your exact day and check where the coach drops you in Venice before booking, so the stop suits your plans.
A flight with a stopover adds airport transfers, security and waiting. Between two cities this close, the train is simpler. Consider flying only if it is part of a longer trip you have already booked.
The journey experience
Bologna to Venice is one of the easiest hops in northern Italy, and the real question is which option fits your trip. The table on this page puts train, coach and flight side by side on time, price and frequency, so you can decide in seconds.
The fast trains run by Trenitalia and Italo are the comfortable default. They go from city centre to city centre, with room for luggage and no traffic to worry about. The coach is the budget-minded alternative, handy if you want to compare fares and don't mind the road. A flight with a stopover is also listed, but between two cities this close it only makes sense if it fits a larger itinerary.
Our advice: unless a coach fare is clearly lower on your date, take the train and book ahead, because last-minute high-speed fares can climb. Check your arrival station carefully. Venezia Santa Lucia is in the historic centre of Venice, while Venezia Mestre is on the mainland. Choose the one closest to your accommodation and you are set. Book online for instant confirmation and you can travel without stress.
Frequently asked questions — Bologna → Venice
The train starts from €19 and typically costs up to €20. The coach starts from €5, with typical fares reaching up to €180 depending on the date. A flight with a stopover starts from €60 and typically costs up to €80. Booking ahead usually gives you the best choice of fares.
The train takes about 1 h 20. The coach takes between 1 h 45 and 2 h 20, depending on traffic and the service you choose. A flight with a stopover takes around 3 h 05 to 3 h 15 in total, before counting transfers to and from the airports.
For most travellers, the train is the best choice. It is the fastest option at about 1 h 20, runs from city centre to city centre and starts from €19 when booked ahead. The coach suits those looking for the lowest fare, while the flight with a stopover is the slowest option.
Trains leave from Bologna Centrale, the city's main station. In Venice, check whether your ticket ends at Venezia Santa Lucia, in the historic centre, or at Venezia Mestre, on the mainland. Pick the one closest to your accommodation, and confirm it on your booking before you travel.
Yes, it is wise, particularly for the train in high season and on weekends. Advance fares are usually lower than last-minute ones, and you have more departure times to choose from. Booking online also gives you instant confirmation, so your ticket is ready on your phone.
Why visit Venice?
- ✓ Glide down the Grand Canal on a vaporetto (line 1) past more than 170 palaces and the Rialto Bridge
- ✓ Explore St Mark's Basilica, its golden mosaics and the Doge's Palace, then climb the Campanile for lagoon views
- ✓ Take a boat to the islands: glassblowers on Murano, lace and colourful houses on Burano, Romanesque Torcello
- ✓ Get lost in Cannaregio and Dorsoduro, with cicchetti and a spritz in a bacino bar or traditional bacaro
- ✓ Admire Venetian art at the Gallerie dell'Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
When to visit Venice?
HUMID SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE
April to June or September to October — mild temperatures, fewer crowds than summer and lower risk of acqua alta
What to do in Venice?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Venice?
Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days. In 1 day, focus on St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, the Rialto Bridge and a vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal. With 2-3 days, add Dorsoduro, Cannaregio and the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Sleep in the historic centre or Cannaregio to avoid the day-tripper crowds, and visit major sights early morning or at sunset.
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